be / go / get beyond a joke

/biː ɡˌəʊ ɡɛt bɪjˌɒnd ɐ dʒˈəʊk/

/biː ɡˌoʊ ɡɛt bɪjˌɑːnd ɐ dʒˈoʊk/

to be / go / get beyond a joke

to start becoming a source of trouble or worry

Examples

1. What started as a simple joke went beyond a joke and ended in a tragedy.

2. Crime rates are soaring and our public transport system is beyond a joke.

3. I don't mind helping her out occasionally, but this is getting beyond a joke.

4. Is it getting beyond a joke now?